Lord Hunt discusses proposed changes to Healthwatch on podcast
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath recently appeared on Health Service Journal’s podcast, discussing the government’s proposed changes to health and social care.
These changes are following the Dash Review. This was a national review of the NHS, patient safety and patient experience, led by Dr Penny Dash. The review looked at how several organisations gather people’s views about health and care, including Healthwatch England and local Healthwatch services.
In the podcast, Lord Hunt said the decision to abolish Healthwatch will likely be one of the more controversial elements of the Bill. He questioned whether public voice and patient experience could be properly represented if this role were absorbed by the organisations that are responsible for planning and commissioning (paying for) these services.
He highlighted the importance of having an independent local voice that people can turn to for information, signposting, and to share their experiences of care. Lord Hunt also referenced work carried out by local Healthwatch organisations, including our work on access to dentistry, pharmacy, and smoking support, and how these take local people's voices into account.
“We welcome Lord Hunt’s comments – in particular that health systems cannot be expected to mark their own homework – and would advocate for the predicted reversal of proposals to abolish local Healthwatch. During the coming period of radical change in health services described in the government’s 10 Year Health Plan, the work of Healthwatch to amplify seldom heard voices and address health inequalities is needed more than ever.”
What happens next?
Lord Hunt outlined that the Bill is expected to be introduced in 2026, followed by detailed discussions in Parliament, particularly in the House of Lords. He suggested that areas relating to Healthwatch are likely to receive close attention during this process.
We are sharing this information to help people understand national discussions that may affect how public views are represented in health and care. As always, we will continue listening to people’s experiences in Barnet and sharing what matters to local decision-makers.
Healthwatch Barnet is managed by Public Voice CIC.
You can listen to the full podcast episode on Spotify here: The making of a Health Bill - Lord Hunt on the clashes to come.
